Apparatuses, multi-chip modules and capacitive chips

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include a capacitive chip having a plurality of capacitive units. The individual capacitive units include alternating electrode layers and dielectric layers in a capacitor stack. The capacitor stack extends across an undulating topography. The undulating topography has peaks and valleys with the peaks being elevationally offset relative to the valleys by a distance within a range of from about 30 microns to about 100 microns. The capacitor stack includes at least about 10 total layers. Some embodiments include apparatuses and multi-chip modules having capacitor chips.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Multi-chip modules, capacitive chips, and apparatuses comprisingcapacitive devices.

BACKGROUND

Improvements in the design of semiconductor devices consistently involvean increase in both operating frequency and capacity of such devices. Inmany cases, these improvements are made with little increase, if not adecrease, in the size of these devices. As a result, density ofcomponents, such as transistors, on each of these devices has greatlyincreased. However, advancements in this regard have not been withoutdrawbacks. For example, as operating frequencies and capacities ofsemiconductor devices have increased, so has the amount of noisegenerated from the increases in transistor switching, a drawback that isbeen even more difficult to address as a result of decreases in signalmargins associated with higher frequencies and lower power supplyvoltages.

An approach that has been used to reduce unwanted noise has been the useof decoupling capacitors. As a result, high-frequency signals may befiltered from power supply voltages provided to, and derived in,semiconductor devices.

Another example use of capacitors is to provide power backup. Forinstance, there may be latency associated with write operations tononvolatile memory storage devices. As result, a queue may be utilizedto temporarily store write commands and/or data until non-volatilememory commands can execute each command serially. Exampleimplementation for such queue involves using a volatile memory buffercache such that write data are written first to the volatile memorybuffer cache and subsequently to solid-state memory when the solid-statememory is available. A problem which may occur is that data intended tobe stored in a solid-state device may be lost if the device loses powerwhile data is being written to the volatile memory. Capacitors may beused to provide backup power in the event of power failure, andspecifically to provide sufficient backup power to enable data transferfrom the buffer cache to nonvolatile memory.

Capacitors may additionally, or alternatively, serve numerous otherpurposes relative to integrated circuitry besides the purposesspecifically described in the examples provided above.

In many applications it is desirable to provide capacitors separatelyfrom one or more integrated circuit chips. For instance, capacitors maybe provided on a capacitive chip within a multi-chip module; with a“capacitive chip” being a chip for which a substantial purpose is toprovide one or more capacitors. There is a continuing goal to reducecosts and improve capacitors associated with capacitive chips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 1A are a diagrammatic top view and a diagrammaticcross-sectional side view, respectively, of a construction at a processstage of an example embodiment method for fabricating an exampleembodiment capacitive chip. The view of FIG. 1A is along the line 1A-1Aof FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B are a diagrammatic top view and diagrammaticcross-sectional side views of the construction of FIGS. 1 and 1A at aprocess stage following that of FIGS. 1 and 1A. The view of FIG. 2A isalong the lines 2A-2A of FIGS. 2 and 2B, and the view of FIG. 2B isalong the lines 2B-2B of FIGS. 2 and 2A.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of the constructionof FIG. 2B at a process stage following that of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top view of a region of an example embodimentcapacitive chip.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic top views of a region of an exampleembodiment capacitive chip showing example process stages for formingmultiple capacitive units.

FIG. 7 is another diagrammatic top view of a region of an exampleembodiment capacitive chip showing multiple capacitive units.

FIG. 8 is three-dimensional schematic representation of an exampleembodiment capacitive chip containing multiple capacitive units.

FIG. 9 is three-dimensional schematic representation of an exampleembodiment multi-chip module containing an example embodiment capacitivechip.

FIG. 10 is another three-dimensional schematic representation of anexample embodiment multi-chip module containing at least one exampleembodiment capacitive chip.

FIG. 11 is another schematic representation of an example embodimentmulti-chip module containing an example embodiment capacitive chip.

FIG. 12 is diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of a construction at aprocess stage of another example embodiment method for fabricatinganother example embodiment capacitive chip.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of the constructionof FIG. 12 at a process stage following that of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments include capacitive chips which have a plurality ofcapacitive units. The individual capacitive units include alternatingelectrode layers and dielectric layers in a capacitor stack, and suchcapacitor stack extends across an undulating topography. The capacitorstack may comprise at least about 10 total layers, and the capacitiveunits may have capacitance within a range of from about 1 picofarad (pf)to about 200 microfarads (μF) under voltage within a range of from about1 volt (V) about 5V. In some embodiments, the total capacitance amongstall capacitive units on a capacitive chip may be within a range of fromabout 10 microfarads (μF) to about 200 μF under voltage within a rangeof from about 1 volt (V) about 5V. In some embodiments, capacitivedensity of a memory chip may be within a range of from about 1 μF/mm² toabout 20 μF/mm², with maximum voltage preferably being within a range offrom about 1.5V to about 3.6V. In some embodiments, capacitive volume ofa memory chip may be within a range of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400μF/mm³, with maximum voltage preferably being within a range of fromabout 1.5V to about 3.6V. Example embodiments are described withreference to FIGS. 1-13.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a construction 10 is shown to comprise asubstrate 12 having an undulating topography thereover. The undulatingtopography comprises peaks 14 and valleys 16. Top surfaces 15 of thepeaks 14 are elevationally offset from surfaces 17 of valleys 16 bydistances D₁. Such distances may be, for example, within a range of fromabout 30 microns (μ) to about 100μ. Top regions of peaks 14 are spacedone another by a distance D₂, and bottom regions of the peaks 14 arespaced one another by a distance D₃. In the shown embodiment D₂ and D₃are about the same as one another, but in other embodiments D₂ and D₃may be substantially different from one another. For instance, if thevalleys 16 are formed by a deep etch into substrate 12, the distance D₃may be substantially smaller than the distance D₂. In some exampleembodiments D₂ and D₃ may be within a range of from about 1μ to about3μ. In some example embodiments D₂ may be within a range of from about2μ to about 3μ, and D₃ may be within a range of from about 0.5μ to about1.5μ.

In some embodiments the valleys 16 may be considered to extend withinopenings 18 between the peaks 14. In the illustrated embodiment, suchopenings correspond to trenches. In other embodiments, the undulatingtopography may comprise other arrangements of peaks and valleys besides,or in addition to, the illustrated trenches. In embodiments in which theopenings 18 correspond to trenches, the distances D₂ and D₃ may beconsidered to correspond to top and bottom widths, respectively, withinthe trenches.

In some embodiments the substrate 12 may be a semiconductor substrate.For instance, the substrate 12 may comprise, consist essentially of, orconsist of monocrystalline silicon. The term “semiconductor substrate”means any construction comprising semiconductive material, including,but not limited to, bulk semiconductive materials such as asemiconductive wafer (either alone or in assemblies comprising othermaterials), and semiconductive material layers (either alone or inassemblies comprising other materials). The term “substrate” refers toany supporting structure, including, but not limited to, thesemiconductor substrates described above. For instance, the substratemay comprise <110> monocrystalline silicon; and the trenches 18 may beformed with etchant comprising potassium hydroxide.

In some embodiments substrate 12 may comprise other materials inaddition to, or alternatively to, semiconductor materials. For instance,substrate 12 may correspond to glass or other insulative material whichis either self-supporting, or supported by a semiconductor substrate.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, a capacitor stack 20 is formed over theundulating surface of a substrate 12, and in the illustrated embodimentis formed within trenches 18. The capacitor stack comprises alternatingelectrode layers 22 and dielectric layers 24.

The electrode layers 22 may comprise any suitable conductive material orcombination of materials; and in some embodiments may comprise, consistessentially of, or consist of one or more metals (for instance,titanium, tungsten, etc.), metal-containing compositions (for instance,metal nitrides, metal silicides, etc.) and/or conductively-dopedsemiconductor materials (for instance, conductively-doped silicon,conductively-doped germanium, etc.). The electrode layers may behomogeneous (as shown), or may comprise two or more discrete materials.In some embodiments all of the electrode layers may comprise a samecomposition as one another; and in other embodiments at least one of theelectrode layers may comprise a different composition relative to atleast one other of the electrode layers.

The dielectric layers may comprise any suitable insulative material orcombination of materials; and in some embodiments may comprise, consistessentially of, or consist of one or more oxides (for instance, hafniumoxide, zirconium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, etc.) and/orone or more non-oxide insulative materials (for instance, siliconnitride, etc.). The dielectric layers may be homogeneous (as shown), ormay comprise two or more discrete materials. In some embodiments all ofthe dielectric layers may comprise a same composition as one another;and in other embodiments at least one of the dielectric layers maycomprise a different composition relative to at least one other of thedielectric layers.

The electrode layers 22 and dielectric layers 24 may be formed to anysuitable thicknesses. In some embodiments such layers are formed tothicknesses within a range of from about 5 nm to about 20 nm. Thedielectric layers and electrode layers may have a same thickness as oneanother in some embodiments, and in other embodiments the dielectriclayers may have different thicknesses relative to the electrode layers.All of the electrode layers 22 may have about a same thickness as oneanother (as shown), or at least one of the electrode layers may have adifferent thickness relative to at least one other of the electrodelayers. All of the dielectric layers may have about a same thickness asone another (as shown), or at least one of the dielectric layers mayhave a different thickness relative to at least one other of thedielectric layers. Layers have “about a same thickness as one another”if the thicknesses of the layers are the same to within reasonabletolerances of fabrication and measurement.

The electrode layers 22 are subdivided into sets of a first polarity(diagrammatically illustrated as “+”) and a second polarity(diagrammatically illustrated as “−”). The first and second polarityelectrode layers alternate with one another throughout the stack 20, andsuch enables the entire thickness of stack 20 to operate as a singlecapacitive unit 26. Generally, the second polarity will be opposite tothe first polarity.

The capacitance of the capacitive unit 26 may be tailored by modifyingthe total number of layers within the capacitive unit 26; withcapacitive units having more layers also having more capacitance thancapacitive units having fewer layers, all other things being equal. Insome embodiments the total number of layers will be at least about 10layers, at least about 30 layers, at least about 50 layers, etc.; and insome embodiments will be within a range of from about 10 layers to about100 layers. The capacitance of the capacitive unit 26 may also betailored by modifying thicknesses of the various electrode layers and/ordielectric layers within the capacitor stack 20. Additionally, oralternatively, the capacitance of the capacitive unit 26 may be tailoredmodifying the composition of the various electrode layers and/ordielectric layers within the capacitor stack 20. Accordingly, thecapacitive characteristics of the capacitive unit 26 may be readilytailored for different applications. In some embodiments the capacitiveunit 26 will be configured to have a capacitance within a range of fromabout 1 pF to about 200 μF under voltage within a range of from about 1Vto about 5V; in some embodiments will be configured to have acapacitance within a range of from about 0.01 μF to about 100 μF undervoltage within a range of from about 1V to about 5V, etc. In someembodiments, capacitive density of a memory chip may be within a rangeof from about 1 μF/mm² to about 20 μF/mm², with maximum voltagepreferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about 3.6V. Insome embodiments, capacitive volume of a memory chip may be within arange of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400 μF/mm³, with maximum voltagepreferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about 3.6V.

The electrode layers 22 are connected to appropriate circuitry toprovide the desired polarity to such layers. Any suitable architecturemay be utilized for connecting the electrode layers to other circuitry.For instance, FIG. 3 shows the cross-section of FIG. 2B at a subsequentprocessing stage after the layers 22 and 24 of capacitor stack 20 havebeen subjected to appropriate etching to form a staircase patternthroughout the capacitor stack. Such staircase pattern exposes uppersurfaces of the electrode layers 22 having desired “+” polarity, andsubsequently conductive interconnects 28 are formed to electricallycontact the exposed upper surfaces. The interconnects 28 may compriseany suitable electrically conductive composition or combination ofcompositions; and in some embodiments may comprise, consist essentiallyof, or consist of one or more metals (for instance, copper, tungsten,etc.), metal-containing compositions (for instance, metal nitrides,metal silicides, alloys of two or more metals, etc.) and/orconductively-doped semiconductor materials (for instance,conductively-doped silicon, conductively-doped germanium, etc.).

FIG. 3 shows a region in which the electrode layers having desired “+”polarity are connected to electrically conductive interconnects. Anotheranalogous region may be established where the electrode layers havingdesired “−” polarity are connected to the conductive interconnects.

In some embodiments, capacitive unit 26 is one of a plurality ofcapacitive units supported by a capacitive chip, and the interconnects28 of FIG. 3 extend to a conductive pad which provides a conductivebonding surface for electrical connection to circuitry external of thecapacitive chip. FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top view of a region of acapacitive chip 30 incorporating the construction 10 of FIGS. 1-3. Thecapacitive chip includes a capacitive unit 32. A dashed-line 33approximately demarcates a periphery of the capacitive unit.

The capacitive unit 32 includes conductive pads 34-37; with theconductive pads 34 and 36 being electrically coupled with “+” polarityelectrodes, and the conductive pads 35 and 37 being electrically coupledwith “−” polarity electrodes. In the shown embodiment, the conductivepads 34-37 all comprise a same material 38. Such material may be anysuitable conductive material, and in some embodiments may comprise metal(for instance, titanium, tungsten, copper, etc.) and/or metal-containingcompositions (for instance, metal nitride, metal silicide, metalcarbide, etc.). In other embodiments, one or more of the conductive padsmay comprise a different material than at least one other conductivepad.

Electrically insulative material 40 surrounds the capacitive unit 32.Such electrically insulative may comprise any suitable material orcombination of materials; including, for example, spin-on dielectric,borophosphosilicate glass, etc.

The peaks 14 are shown in dashed-line view in FIG. 4 to indicate thatsuch peaks are under other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, thepeaks are elongated as lines, such as would occur in embodiments of thetype illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A where trenches 18 extend into asubstrate material. Staircase patterns analogous to that described inFIG. 3 may be along tops of the peaks 14 under the pads 34-37 toelectrically connect electrodes 22 of the capacitor stack 20 (shown inFIGS. 2, 2A, 2B and 3) to the conductive pads 34-37 throughinterconnects 28 of the type described with reference to FIG. 3.

The pads 34-37 are electrically separated from one another by dielectricmaterial 42 provided between the pads. Such dielectric material maycomprise any suitable material, including, for example, silicon dioxide,silicon nitride, etc. In some embodiments the materials 40 and 42 may bethe same composition as one another, and in other embodiments thematerials 40 and 42 may be different from one another. Also, althoughthe same material 42 is shown between all of the conductive pads 34-37,in other embodiments different insulative materials may be providedbetween some conductive pads as compared to the insulative materialprovided between other conductive pads.

A “+” polarity region and an adjacent “−” polarity region may beconsidered to form a base capacitive structure 44. Accordingly, theexample embodiment capacitive unit 32 of FIG. 4 comprises two basecapacitive structures 44. The capacitance of a capacitive unit scaleswith the number of base capacitive structures incorporated into suchcapacitive unit. Accordingly, capacitance within an individualcapacitive unit may be adjusted by tailoring the number of basecapacitive structures incorporated into such capacitive unit.

The conductive pads 34-37 may be connected to circuitry external of thecapacitive chip 30 through any suitable architecture. Conductivestructures 46 are diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4 as beingelectrically coupled with the conductive pads 34-37. Such conductivestructures 46 are shown in dashed-line view so that they may be readilydistinguished from the adjacent conductive pads. The conductivestructures 46 would be on top of the conductive pads, and may correspondto, for example, interconnects which extend to wiring or other suitablerouting circuitry.

The capacitive unit 32 may be one of a plurality of capacitive unitsassociated with a capacitive chip. The various capacitive units may havea same capacitance as one another, or may have different capacitancesdepending on, for example, the number of base capacitive structures 44incorporated into the capacitive units, the relative size of the basecapacitive structures, etc.

In some embodiments, a capacitive chip may be formed to have numerousregions which each has an undulating topography analogous to thetopography described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A. Forinstance, FIG. 5 shows a construction 10 a having three regions 48, 50and 52 which each comprises peaks 14 and valleys (not labeled) formingan undulating topography. The regions 48 and 50 are the same size as oneanother, and the region 52 is about twice as big as the regions 48 and50.

Insulative material 40 is between the regions 48, 50 and 52, and in theillustrated embodiment another insulative 42 is along an outer peripheryof each of the individual regions. In some embodiments, the material 42may be omitted.

The regions 48, 50 and 52 may be formed by, for example, patterning suchregions into a semiconductor material utilizing masking and etching.Alternatively, the regions 48, 50 and 52 may be formed with othersuitable processing.

A capacitor stack of the type described above with reference to FIGS. 2,2A and 2B as stack 20 may be formed as an expanse across an entire uppersurface of construction 10 a, and subsequently such stack may bepatterned to form isolated capacitive units 54, 56 and 58 within theregions 48, 50 and 52, respectively; as shown in FIG. 6.

The processing of FIGS. 5 and 6 advantageously forms a plurality ofcapacitive units 54, 56 and 58 across a capacitive chip; with thecapacitive units all comprising the same capacitor stack 20. Thespecific capacitances of the individual capacitive units 54, 56 and 58may be tailored by adjusting the relative dimensions of the individualcapacitive units. For instance, the capacitive unit 58 is illustrated tobe about twice as large as the capacitive units 54 and 56. Accordingly,the capacitive unit 58 may comprise twice as many of the base capacitivestructures 44 (FIG. 4) as the capacitive units 54 and 56, and maytherefore have double the capacitance of the capacitive units 54 and 56.

In some embodiments, the regions 54, 56 and 58 of FIG. 6 may beconsidered to have length and width dimensions. The length dimensionsmay be adjusted to tailor the number of base units 44 (FIG. 4) withinthe individual capacitive units, and the width dimensions may adjustedto tailor the total capacitance within each base unit. For instance,FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic and schematic view of a capacitive chip 30 bshowing linear peak regions 14 (only some of which are labeled) andassociated conductive pads 60. The conductive pads 60 may be consideredschematic representations of an electrical contact of a base capacitiveunit 44 (FIG. 4). In the illustrated representation of FIG. 7, each padis associated with four peaks 14 of the undulating topography. In otherembodiments, the individual pads may be associated with more than fourpeaks or less than four peaks of the undulating topography.

Capacitive units 62-65 are diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 7. Thecapacitive unit 62 comprises two base units, the capacitive unit 63comprises four base units, the capacitive unit 64 comprises two baseunits, and the capacitive unit 65 comprises four base units. Breaks(e.g., slits, kerfs, etc.) 66 and 68 extend into the chip 30 b and alterthe widths of capacitive units 62 and 65 relative to the widths of theother capacitive units 63 and 64. Accordingly, even though capacitiveunits 63 and 65 both comprise four base capacitive structures 60, thecapacitive unit 65 has less capacitance than the capacitive units 63because the capacitive units 65 has a narrower width than the capacitiveunit 63. Similarly, the capacitive unit 62 has a narrower width than thecapacitive unit 64.

In some embodiments, the pads 60 within capacitive units 63 and 64 maybe considered to be associated with full-width base capacitivestructures. Such full-width base capacitor structures may have a givencapacitance, and the capacitive units 63 and 64 may have a totalcapacitance determined by the number of full-width base capacitorstructures incorporated therein. For instance, in some embodiments eachfull-width base capacitor structure may have a capacitance of about 0.25μF, and accordingly capacitive unit 64 may have a total capacitance ofabout 0.5 μF while capacitive unit 63 has a total capacitance of about 1μF.

The capacitive units 62 and 65 have partial-width base capacitorstructures, and accordingly have less capacitance then analogouscapacitive units having full-width base capacitor structures. Therelative amount of capacitance within a partial-width base capacitorstructure as compared to a full-width base capacitor structure scalesroughly in proportion to the dimension of the partial-width as comparedto the dimension of the full-width.

The capacitive chips 30, 30 a and 30 b described above in FIGS. 4-7 maycomprise any suitable dimensions. FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates acapacitive chip 30 c comprising a plurality of individual capacitiveunits 70 (only some of which are labeled). The capacitive units maycomprise substantially the same total capacitance as one another in someembodiments (with the term “substantially the same” meaning that thetotal capacitance is the same to within reasonable tolerances offabrication and measurement). In other embodiments, at least one of thecapacitive units may comprise a substantially different totalcapacitance than one or more other capacitive units. The variouscapacitive units may comprise any of the capacitive unit structuresdescribed above with reference to the preceding figures of thisdisclosure.

Methodology described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7 may enable thecapacitive chip 30 c to be formed to have at least about one capacitiveunit per square millimeter, and in some embodiments to have at leastabout four capacitive units per square millimeter. In some exampleembodiments the capacitive chip 30 c may have a surface area of about 7mm², and may comprise from about 10 capacitive units (i.e. capacitors)to about 30 capacitive units. In some embodiments all of the capacitiveunits on the capacitive chip together have total capacitance within arange of from about 10 microfarads to about 200 microfarads undervoltage within a range of from about 1 volt to about 5 volts. In someembodiments, capacitive density of a memory chip may be within a rangeof from about 1 μF/mm² to about 20 μF/mm², with maximum voltagepreferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about 3.6V. Insome embodiments, capacitive volume of a memory chip may be within arange of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400 μF/mm³, with maximum voltagepreferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about 3.6V.

The capacitive chip 30 c may be incorporated into a multi-chip module orother apparatus. For instance, FIG. 9 illustrates an explodedperspective view of a multi-chip module 80 which includes an integratedcircuit chip 82, a signal distribution component 84 and the capacitivechip 30 c arranged in a stacked configuration. The signal distributioncomponent may be coupled to traces on a semiconductor substrate (e.g.,via conductive balls, solder bumps, etc.). Moreover, the signaldistribution component 84 may be coupled to an external controller toreceive power supply voltage and/or control signals and may furtherreceive signals from other external devices. Although the stackedconfiguration has the signal distribution component 84 on an opposingside of the integrated circuit chip 82 from the capacitive unit 30 c, inother embodiments of the capacitive unit may be between the signaldistribution component and the integrated circuit chip. In someembodiments the signal distribution component may be considered to bepart of a power supply which provides power to one or both of theintegrated circuit chip and the capacitive chip.

The integrated circuit chip 82, the capacitive chip 30 c, and the signaldistribution component 84 may be coupled by respective redistributionlayers (not shown) and/or by die interconnects, such as pads, solderbumps, microbumps, copper pillars, etc. Any suitable number and/or sizeof interconnects may be used, allowing for respective resistances (e.g.,effective series resistance) between the integrated circuit chip 82, thecapacitive chip 30 c and/or the signal distribution component 84 to beincreased or decreased as desired.

Although the apparatus 80 of FIG. 9 shows three components within amulti-chip module, in other embodiments there may be more than threeindividual components within the multi-chip module, or fewer than threeindividual components within the multi-chip module. For instance, FIG.10 shows a construction 90 comprising five components 91-95 within amulti-chip module. At least one of such components is a capacitive chip(i.e., a capacitive chip analogous to the chip 30 c of FIGS. 8 and 9),and other components may be integrated circuit chips, signaldistribution components, etc. In some embodiments at least two of themodules 91-95 may be capacitive chips. One of the capacitive chips mayhave a different function than another. For instance, one of thecapacitive chips may provide backup power to enable a programmingoperation to be completed in the event of power failure; and another ofthe capacitive chips may provide filtering to stabilize powerdistribution to an integrated circuit chip.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates another example embodiment multi-chipmodule 100. Such module includes a capacitive chip 30 c, an integratedcircuit chip 82, and a power distribution 102 configured to provide apower supply voltage. In some embodiments the capacitive chip iselectrically coupled between the power supply and the integrated circuitchip and is configured to modify power from the power supply to theintegrated circuit chip and/or to provide backup power to the chip inthe event of power failure. In some embodiments the integrated circuitchip is electrically coupled to at least one of the capacitive chip andthe power distribution component. In such embodiments, the capacitivechip may be directly coupled to the power distribution unit, and may beutilized to stabilize power from the distribution unit regardless ofwhether the capacitive unit is also directly coupled to the integratedcircuit chip or not.

In the illustrated embodiment, the integrated circuit chip comprises acontroller 104 and memory 106. The controller may be utilized forproviding memory commands to the memory. Additional memory 108 may beprovided in a separate memory chip. Such additional memory may alsoreceive memory commands from the controller 104. The additional memory108 may be electrically coupled to one or both of the power dissipationunit 102 and the capacitive chip 30 c, in addition to being electricallycoupled to the integrated circuit chip 82. Although the integratedcircuit chip 82 is illustrated to comprise some memory in addition tocontroller, in other embodiments the integrated circuit chip may onlycomprises the controller and any memory within the apparatus 100 may beprovided by one or more additional memory chips analogous to the chip108.

In some embodiments, a capacitive chip may be fabricated to comprisefirst capacitive units on a first side and second capacitive units on anopposing second side, as described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 12 shows a construction 200 having a first side 202 and an opposingsecond side 204. The sides 202 and 204 may be a top and bottom of awafer or other suitable substrate 206. In some embodiments the substratemay have a thickness from side 202 to side 204 within a range of fromabout 200 micrometers to about 1000 micrometers. First trenches 18 aextend downwardly from the first side, and second trenches 18 b extendupwardly from the second side. First peaks 14 a are along the firsttrenches 18 a, and second peaks 14 b are along the second trenches 18 b.In the shown embodiment, the first trenches 18 a extend into baseregions of the second peaks 14 b, and the second trenches 18 b extendinto base regions of the first peaks 14 a. Outer surfaces of the peaks14 a are elevationally offset from inner surfaces trenches 18 a bydistances D₅, and outer surfaces of the peaks 14 b are elevationallyoffset from inner surfaces trenches 18 b by distances D₆. The distancesD₅ and D₆ may be about the same as one another in some embodiments, ormay be different from one another in other embodiments. The distances D₅and D₆ may be, for example, within a range of from about 30μ to about100μ. Outer regions of peaks 14 a are spaced from one another by adistance D₈, and outer regions of the peaks 14 b are spaced from oneanother by a distance D₇. The distances D₇ and D₈ may be about the sameas one another in some embodiments, or may be different from one anotherin other embodiments. In some example embodiments D₇ and D₈ may bewithin a range of from about 1μ to about 3μ.

Referring to FIG. 13, alternating electrode layers 22 and dielectriclayers 24 are formed within trenches 18 a and 18 b, and across peaks 14a and 14 b. Such form a first capacitor stack 20 a along first side 202,and form a second capacitor stack 20 b along second side 204.

Any suitable number of electrode layers may be utilized in the capacitorstacks 20 a and 20 b. The capacitor stacks 20 a and 20 b may have thesame number of electrode layers as one another in some embodiments, ormay have different numbers of electrode layers relative to one another.The capacitor stacks 20 a and 20 b are incorporated into capacitiveunits 26 a and 26 b. The stacks 20 a and 20 b, and capacitive units 26 aand 26 b, may comprise layers and configurations of the types describedwith reference to stack 20 and capacitive unit 26 of FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B.

The formation of capacitive units along opposing sides 202 and 204 maybe considered to form a double-sided capacitive chip. The double-sidedcapacitive chip may be configured to achieve suitable capacitive densityand/or volume for particular applications. In some embodiments,capacitive density of a memory chip of the type illustrated in FIG. 13may be within a range of from about 0.005 μF/mm² to about 2 μF/mm². Insome embodiments, capacitive volume of the memory chip may be within arange of from about 0.01 μF/mm³ to about 5 μF/mm³. In some embodiments,the capacitors may be suitable for operation to at least about 5V, andin some embodiments may be suitable for operation within a range of fromabout 5V to about 25V.

The structures described herein may be incorporated into electronicsystems. The electronic systems may be any of a broad range of systems,such as, for example, cameras, wireless devices, displays, chip sets,set top boxes, games, lighting, vehicles, clocks, televisions, cellphones, personal computers, automobiles, industrial control systems,aircraft, etc.

The particular orientation of the various embodiments in the drawings isfor illustrative purposes only, and the embodiments may be rotatedrelative to the shown orientations in some applications. The descriptionprovided herein, and the claims that follow, pertain to any structuresthat have the described relationships between various features,regardless of whether the structures are in the particular orientationof the drawings, or are rotated relative to such orientation.

The cross-sectional views of the accompanying illustrations only showfeatures within the planes of the cross-sections, and do not showmaterials behind the planes of the cross-sections in order to simplifythe drawings.

Some embodiments include a capacitive chip comprising a plurality ofcapacitive units. The individual capacitive units include alternatingelectrode layers and dielectric layers in a capacitor stack. Thecapacitor stack extends across an undulating topography. The undulatingtopography comprises peaks and valleys with the peaks beingelevationally offset relative to the valleys by a distance within arange of from about 30 microns to about 100 microns. The capacitor stackcomprises at least about 10 total layers. The capacitive units may havecapacitance within a range of from about 1 picofarad to about 200microfarads under voltage within a range of from about 1 volt to about 5volts. In some embodiments, capacitive density of a memory chip may bewithin a range of from about 1 μF/mm² to about 20 μF/mm², with maximumvoltage preferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about3.6V. In some embodiments, capacitive volume of a memory chip may bewithin a range of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400 μF/mm³, with maximumvoltage preferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about3.6V.

Some embodiments include an apparatus having a power supply, anintegrated circuit chip, and a capacitive chip electrically coupledbetween the power supply and the integrated circuit chip and configuredto modify power from the power supply to the integrated circuit chipand/or to provide backup power to the chip in the event of powerfailure. The capacitive chip comprises a plurality of capacitive units.The individual capacitive units comprise alternating electrode layersand dielectric layers in a capacitor stack. The capacitor stack extendsacross an undulating topography having elevational offsets of from about30 microns to about 100 microns. The capacitor stack comprises at leastabout 10 total layers. The capacitive units may have capacitance withina range of from about 1 picofarad to about 200 microfarads under voltagewithin a range of from about 1 volt to about 5 volts. In someembodiments, capacitive density of a memory chip may be within a rangeof from about 1 μF/mm² to about 20 μF/mm², with maximum voltagepreferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about 3.6V. Insome embodiments, capacitive volume of a memory chip may be within arange of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400 μF/mm³, with maximum voltagepreferably being within a range of from about 1.5V to about 3.6V.

Some embodiments include a multi-chip module comprising a powerdistribution component configured to provide a power supply voltage, acapacitive chip electrically coupled to the power distribution componentand comprising a plurality of capacitive units, and an integratedcircuit chip electrically coupled to at least one of the capacitive chipand the power distribution component. The integrated circuit chipcomprises a controller configured to provide memory commands to amemory. The individual capacitive units comprise alternating electrodelayers and dielectric layers in a capacitor stack. The capacitor stackextends across an undulating topography. The undulating topographycomprises trenches having depths within a range of from about 30 micronsto about 100 microns and having bottom widths of at least about 1micrometer. The capacitor stack comprises at least about 10 totallayers. The capacitive units on the capacitive chip together may havetotal capacitance within a range of from about 10 microfarads to about200 microfarads under voltage within a range of from about 1 volt toabout 5 volts. In some embodiments, capacitive density of a memory chipmay be within a range of from about 1 μF/mm² to about 20 μF/mm², withmaximum voltage preferably being within a range of from about 1.5V toabout 3.6V. In some embodiments, capacitive volume of a memory chip maybe within a range of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400 μF/mm³, withmaximum voltage preferably being within a range of from about 1.5V toabout 3.6V.

Some embodiments include a capacitive chip comprising a first side inopposing relation to a second side. A first set of alternating electrodelayers and dielectric layers is along the first side and forms a firstcapacitor stack. The first capacitor stack extends across a firstundulating topography. The first undulating topography comprises firsttrenches having first depths within a range of from about 30 microns toabout 100 microns. The first capacitor stack comprises at least about 10total layers. A second set of alternating electrode layers anddielectric layers is along the second side and forms a second capacitorstack. The second capacitor stack extends across a second undulatingtopography. The second undulating topography comprises second trencheshaving second depths a range of from about 30 microns to about 100microns. The second capacitor stack comprises at least about 10 totallayers.

In compliance with the statute, the subject matter disclosed herein hasbeen described in language more or less specific as to structural andmethodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the claimsare not limited to the specific features shown and described, since themeans herein disclosed comprise example embodiments. The claims are thusto be afforded full scope as literally worded, and to be appropriatelyinterpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a power supply; an integratedcircuit chip; and a capacitive chip electrically coupled between thepower supply and the integrated circuit chip and configured to modifypower from the power supply to the integrated circuit chip and/or toprovide backup power to the chip in the event of power failure; thecapacitive chip comprising a plurality of capacitive units, theindividual capacitive units comprising: alternating electrode layers anddielectric layers in a capacitor stack; the capacitor stack extendingacross an undulating topography having elevational offsets of from about30 microns to about 100 microns; the capacitor stack comprising at leastabout 10 total layers; and wherein the electrode layers and dielectriclayers have thicknesses within a range of from about 5 nanometers toabout 20 nanometers.
 2. An apparatus, comprising: a power supply; anintegrated circuit chip; a capacitive chip electrically coupled betweenthe power supply and the integrated circuit chip and configured tomodify power from the power supply to the integrated circuit chip and/orto provide backup power to the chip in the event of power failure; thecapacitive chip comprising a plurality of capacitive units, theindividual capacitive units comprising: alternating electrode layers anddielectric layers in a capacitor stack; the capacitor stack extendingacross an undulating topography having elevational offsets of from about30 microns to about 100 microns; and the capacitor stack comprising atleast about 10 total layers; and the apparatus comprising at least about1 capacitive unit per square millimeter.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2comprising at least about 4 capacitive units per square millimeter. 4.The apparatus of claim 2 wherein all of the capacitive units aresubstantially identical to one another in capacitance.
 5. The apparatusof claim 2 wherein at least one of the capacitive units has asubstantially different capacitance than another of the capacitiveunits.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the capacitor stack comprisesat least about 30 total layers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein thecapacitor stack comprises at least about 50 total layers.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the capacitive chip has capacitive volumewithin a range of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400 μF/mm³.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein the capacitive chip has capacitive volumewithin a range of from about 10 μF/mm³ to about 400 μF/mm³.